Indian buses barred from entering Lahore

Lahore, April 2 (IANS) Indian passenger buses have been barred from entering the city in the wake of the terror attack on a police academy on its outskirts just 12 km from the Wagah border. When the New Delhi-Lahore bus arrived at Wagah Monday, Pakistani security forces were still attempting to recapture the Manawan academy from a group of terrorists who had taken hundreds of trainees hostage.

The passengers were asked to alight and were sent to Lahore on a Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) bus, the Nation Thursday quoted a customs official at the checkpost as saying.

This had been done as the Indian bus could have been easily identified by its registration plates and could have been targeted by terrorists, the official pointed out.

The Indian bus would be permitted to resume its journey to Lahore city once the situation normalised, the official added.

Pakistani security forces had retaken the police academy after an eight-hour operation, killing eight of the attackers and capturing three alive. Eight trainees and two civilians also died in the assault.

It was the second terror attack in Lahore after the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day’s play in the second Test against Pakistan was ambushed March 3.

Six security personnel and two civilians were killed in that attack, which also injured six Sri Lankan players and the team’s assistant coach.

The attack prompted the Sri Lankan government to immediately call off the tour and fly the team back home.